Parish Council of Langton Matravers
www.langtonmatravers-pc.org

Minutes of a Meeting of the Council held in the Village Hall on Thursday 12th April 2012 at 7.00pm
Present: Cllr P White in the Chair, P Loudoun, H Tizard, M Turner, M Kirby, W Knight, J Bradford, M Lovell, C.Drayson.
There were 3 members of the public present.

1.	Apologies: There were none.
2.	Declarations of interest.  Cllr Kirby declared a personal interest as his wife has an allotment. Cllrs Tizard, Drayson and Turner each declared a personal interest as allotment tenants.
3.	Reports. a) David Hodd and Jon Kershaw of the National Trust reported on the Trust’s work in the parish within the last month. The NT had supported the recent Village Litter Pick carried out by local volunteers, lending litter pickers and disposing of the rubbish. There have been enquiries about access work at Langton West Wood, and this will be incorporated into NT’s ‘Wild Purbeck’ project, so that local views can be included. Some of the recent DCC volunteer rights of way work (gates etc.) has not been entirely satisfactory, and they are working to resolve this. A deer census has been done, and the NT is keen to hear from locals about deer damage or numbers. The Chairman thanked the NT for the report.
b) Ian Vaughan-Arbuckle, PC Footpath Liaison officer, reported that DCC are awaiting the final report for upgrading costs on the Priest’s Way.  Mr and Mrs Haysom had kindly cut back the undergrowth along the verge beside the A351 north from the junction with Crack Lane; he will now contact DCC to see if they will widen and stabilise the path, and adopt it as a Bridleway. A note had been put in the Dubber about dog mess, but the problem is still not resolved. Regarding a proposed Nature trail in Langton West Wood, it was agreed that the matter should be followed up by the NT as part of the Wild Purbeck project (see above). Regarding the proposed path alongside the A351 Cllr Knight asked who might be responsible for maintenance if it were established.  Ian V-A will explore. Cllr Lovell commented on hedge overhanging the A351 at Yards Brake which is a traffic hazard. He will mention it to DCC for action. Cllr White thanked Mr. Vaughan-Arbuckle for his report. 
4.	Public Discussion. There were no comments from the public.
5.  Matters Arising from the Public Discussion.  None.
6.  Planning Matters. 
       2) To make comments concerning the following plans:-
       (a) 6/2012/0152 Application for :- Full Planning Permission, Minor Devt. Raglan Housing Association. Erect 4 houses and 4 flats and form new vehicular access. Land adj. to Steppes, Langton Matravers. Observations: The new buildings should be built of Purbeck stone, not brick, so as to retain the appearance of the Northern boundary of the village as seen from the Downs and Valley road to be a line of stone houses and cottages. This is even more important now that there is to be no earth bund and most of the mature screening trees have been cut down. 

At the Planning Board meeting in 2007, when approval of the outline planning permission was given, the then Chairman stated that a traffic management plan should be put in place so movements to and from the site should be restricted to certain times so as to cause minimum disruption to the current residents of this busy and narrow road. It is hoped that this has not been forgotten and will be put in place.
3) The Council received planning decisions by PDC since the last meeting: 
a) 6/2012/0006 Application for :- County Matter Permission Other Development 		Lovell Purbeck Limited.  Small scale extension,Quarry No 4, Quarry Field, Acton	DCC: Approved. 				
 6/2012/0007	Application for :- County Matter Permission	Other Development
Lovell Purbeck Limited. Variation of conditions 2,6,9 and 10 of Planning 	Permission 6/2004/1048 to extend the end date of the existing quarry to facilitate 	the extension and to change the phasing and ramp location.Quarry No 4, Quarry 	Field, Acton DCC: Approved
b) 6/2012/0073 Application for :- Full Planning Permission	Minor Development. 				Mr S R Smith.Erect lean-to extension to existing agricultural building. Valley 			Road (New Barn Farm), Swanage. Approved.
		c) 6/2011/0815 Application for :- Full Planning Permission	Other Development. Mr and 				Mrs Evans. Erect first floor rear extension under new roof. The Hyde (The Nest), 				Langton Matravers, BH19 3HE. Approved.
 4) Other planning matters: - There were none.
7.  Minutes of  the Meeting held 8th March 2012. The Minutes, having been circulated previously, were agreed as a correct record and signed.
8.  Matters Arising from the Minutes.
a) Item 5. Dog Bins. The Clerk had been informed by PDC that dog bins cannot be sited more than 50m. from the public highway if they are to be emptied by PDC operatives.
b) Item 8b. VAT reclaim. Alan Leeson had completed the VAT returns for 2009-10 and 2010-11 and the Council had been credited with £2,874,19, the total amount reclaimed for the two years. 
c) Item 11c. Snow Clearing Operations. The Clerk informed the Council that insurance would be the liability of individual councils, and is likely to fall on the motor insurance of the farmer in question; the council need £5 million.public liability insurance. Risk assessments would also need to be carried out. ACTION: Cllr Loudoun to look at his motor insurance and report back for the next meeting.
d) Item 15. Jubilee Plans. Cllr Knight reported that St George’s School will feed back ideas following a Staff Meeting. ACTION: Cllr Knight.
e) Item 16a. Traffic Management. Cllr Kirby reported that PCSO Iain Leslie of PACT would be coming to the Parish Assembly to introduce Community Speed Watch.
f) Item 16c.Speed strips at West of village. The Clerk reported that following a request to DCC, these have been renewed. She has thanked Highways staff.
g) Item 17a. Village Litter Pick. Mrs Mayes’ group of volunteers had been successful in tidying up surrounding fields and footpaths around the village. They will hope to repeat the activity at the end of the season. They were thanked by the Council for their hard work, which is much appreciated.
Cllr Lovell noted that the verges at Crack Lane, Acton and by St Michael’s Garage need to be taken back. ACTION: Clerk to contact DCC Highways. 
h) Item 18. Neighbourhood Plan/Core Strategy.  Diane Bemand and Steve Dring of PDC have agreed to address an Open meeting about the implications of the new PDC Core Strategy for Langton: date possibly in June. ACTION: Clerk to liaise with PDC.
i) Item 19. Southern Boundary Wall, School Field. Cllr Knight advised that the wall was the property of DCC and that they had no immediate plans to rebuild it. Cllr Bradford noted that it is the southern boundary of the Langton Matravers Conservation Area, and should be re-instated.
 9.  The Clerk’s Report for the period 3.3.2012 to 6.4.2012.  Report received.
10.  Matters arising from the Clerk’s Report. 
a) Item 26. The Clerk noted that the Chairman of Governors at St George’s School, Mr Greenleaves, had invited Cllrs to a presentation of the new plans for the school on 30th April.2012. 
b) Item 39. Mrs Val Winch, the Council’s Governor representative had sent her annual report on St George’s School. RESOLVED: that Mrs Winch be thanked for her hard work.
c) Item 38. An allotment holder is likely to have to move away from the village and wants to know if he may retain his tenancy throughout 2012. This was agreed, and the Council decided to discuss the matter of a possible change in rules for tenancies at the next meeting.
d) Item 47. School Field Lease. This has now been signed, and the Clerk asked for the Council’s approval that she register the lease with the Land Registry. RESOLVED: That the lease be registered with the land Registry for a fee of £50.00.
11.  Chairman’s Announcements. 
Following reports of problems with children entering the school field (see 8 i), above), Cllr White thanked Cllr Loudoun and Mr David Duncan for their hard work in installing new fencing on the South side of the Council’s land bordering Cole’s Ground. 
12.  Financial Matters.
(1)   Note the following additions to Council funds since the last Council Meeting:
       £  175.00   Donations to Old Cemetery memorial Fund.
       £  80.00     Memorial fee: the late Helen Lang, Plot L 18.
(2)   Note the following Payments by cheque since last Meeting:
       £ 12.00      Langton Matravers Village Hall Committee for April Council chamber.
       £ 480.14 	   Clerk’s Salary – March, plus tax rebate.
       £ 300.00	    National Trust – Allotment rental.
       £ 30.19      Wessex Water, Allotments, 13/09/11-23/02/12..
       £ 90.00      DAPTC – Localism Act Course Fee.
       £ 86.09      Southern Electric – Toilet Block 22/12/11 – 23/03/12
       £ 28.27      Glasdon. Concrete base for litter bin.	 
 (3) 	Payments by Direct Debit:
       £ 35.27      XLN Telecom for phone and broadband 
 (4) 	Other Financial Matters. 
The Clerk reported that the first part of the Annual precept for 2012-13, £ 6,600.00, had been paid into the bank. Annual figures showed that payments had only just exceeded income: accounts will be sent for auditing in the near future. 
13.  Cemetery Matters:
(1) Council’s Cemetery. a) Cllrs discussed concerns over the state of the Council’s grounds, which were not in their normal tidy condition. It was agreed that Mr Wiste, the groundsman, was in breach of contract, and that he should be given one month’s notice. Furthermore, the March payment should be withheld until work was done. ACTION: Clerk to inform Mr Wiste of the  Council’s decision. 
b) It was noted that the noticeboard in the cemetery was in need of attention. RESOLVED: To buy a laminator to make waterproof notices. ACTION: Cllr Kirby ?
(2) Closed Cemetery. The Clerk reported that a letter had been drafted regarding the overhanging ash tree in the Old Rectory garden, but she needed to contact the PDC/DCC tree officer before sending it.
14.  Allotments.  Cllr Kirby reported that the water had been turned on. There were two social events planned, a BBQ in July, and an Open Day on Sunday August 12th. 
15.  Village Car Park. Jacqui Leaton, DCC Premises Officer, had responded to the Council’s enquiry about a proposed car park at the west end of the school field. She listed various difficulties including applying for a Section 77 certificate, and suggested that the matter be raised with PDC in the first instance. Cllr Kirby had been in touch with Sport England, who see no problem in principle if the size of the land exchanged were equivalent or bigger. It was emphasised that at this point possibilities are being explored, before bringing any firm proposals forward for public discussion. 
16. Traffic Management/Congestion/Speeding: update. See 8 e),f) above.
17. Village Clean-Up. It was suggested that most work be concentrated along the High Street and in the Old Cemetery. Cllr Turner recommended that insurance and risk assessment be explored. Final plans will be made at the next meeting. ACTION: Clerk to find out about insurance and do Risk Assessment.
18. Parish Plan Update : Cllrs Kirby and White had installed the new concrete base on the litter bin by the Steppes Bus shelter. 
19.  Annual Parish Assembly Plans. Cllr Drayson had sent invitations to Village groups to do short presentations and/or displays. Cllr Tizard is organising refreshments, using local businesses. Mrs. Margaret White had offered to help. 
20. Jubilee Plans. As above.
21. Crossing at Coombe.   Cllr  Drayson asked about the possibility of installing a crossing on the A351 at Coombe, as the plans for the new Secondary school in Swanage include a Travel Plan to encourage safe cycling and walking for pupils, and also adults.  DCC had vetoed the idea two years ago, but it was agreed to approach them again to see if it might be possible. RESOLVED: That DCC be asked to provide a crossing at Coombe. ACTION: Clerk, Cllr Lovell ?
20.	 The date of the next meeting was confirmed as 7pm on Thursday 10th May 2012. The June monthly meeting will be at 7pm. on Thursday 14th June 2012.
21.	Additional items for the Agenda of the next Council meeting:  Village Clean Up/ Snow Clearance/Allotment rules/ Village Car Park/ Traffic Management (Speed Watch)/ Jubilee Plans

Closed 9.13pm 

Signed………………………………………  (Chairman)    Date…………………………